Customer Reviews

Customer Reviews for
Zeagle Stiletto BC:

Rating:
Great BC but still getting use to it.
Reviewer:
Eric P.
i really like my stiletto bc. i am a big guy and the moveable components made it very easy to move the cumberbun to get to the right sizing. it is also compact and light weight. this is my first back inflate bc and get (and stay) horizontal like a salmon with no effort at all. however, i am still getting use to it on the surface for briefings as im either sitting too far forward or too far back....but this will just take a little time to figure out.
the only two things i am not keen on are:
- the placement of the dump valve, i have to be a near contortionist to be able to reach around to get to it. not that i have need for it on the majority of occasions.
- the ripcord emergency weight system is easy to deploy
but putting it back together is rather tedious, especially if you have big (read "adult sized") hands. i tested it at home when i first got it and it took me the better part of 45 minutes to get it back together. you may think "its a fairly rigid plastic cord going thru cloth loops, how hard can it be"....its not that per se, but more the origami involved as well as tight spacing to deal with. again, something that i should never have to use and at least the hassle is after youve done a release and not an issue with the release itself.
overall, i am very happy with the bc and would recommend it to others.

Did this Review help?

No

Yes

21 out of
35
people found this review helpful.

Rating:
Zeagle Stiletto BC Review
Reviewer:
Eldon Parkinson
-
View all my reviews
a call to scuba.com and a quick talk to a techy helped me correctly the right sized bcd. i found the personalized adjustments to the bcd were quick and intuitive and if i gain or lose a few pounds i wont need to buy a new bcd, i can simply redo the adjustments and the velcro closing cumberband will fit me as well as it does now. while i dont find the inflater quite as easy to use as the one on my old mares bcd it is still easy to use, i think if it had about a 3" longer hose that would fix the problem. (if i had of bought this bcd first, i would have probably thought the hose on the mares was too long ). the fact that the power inflator end quickly disconnects makes it a breeze to flush out the bladder, you can even screw a garden hose on it if you so desire. having the back weights sitting on the side of the tank makes it much easier to keep your head above water on the surface as with most rear inflation bcds you have the tendency to be face down when youre on the surface. it has enough pockets and d-rings to hang and store all of my extra gear. my mares bcd had weight pouches and ive lost 2 of them so putting the weights into special weigh pockets makes sense as with mare bcd i usually put them in the pockets and left the pouches behind to save me the price of buying new ones. ive used my new bcd for 4 dives now and all and all it is one great bcd. all in all i would give this bcd a 9 out of 10.

Did this Review help?

No

Yes

236 out of
454
people found this review helpful.

Rating:
Stilleto BC...as good as it gets
Reviewer:
John S.
Great fitting, great features. This BC doess it all. It packs up relatively small, and would be great for traveling. Top notch construction, makes it a great value. Dual Tank straps are awesome!

Did this Review help?

No

Yes

215 out of
406
people found this review helpful.

Rating:
Zeagle Stiletto BC
Reviewer:
Joseph K.
This is a quality, durable BC. It is very comfortable and the sizing is accurate. I recommend this product!

Did this Review help?

No

Yes

180 out of
419
people found this review helpful.

Rating:
BC
Reviewer:
ralph mills
works great, easy to dive with , easy to load the weights
less drag and nice balance

Questions and Answers

Questions and Answers for
Zeagle Stiletto BC:

Jennifer:

What am I losing if I chose to go to a Zeagle Ranger or Stilleto vs the Ranger LTD. I am not sure what bells and whistles I would not get

Arthur(Certified Scuba Instructor at Scuba.com):

Hello, the LTD has more options for attaching zip on accessories. Not a big deal. I have the Ranger and love it.

Steven:

i am having difficulty in ing the correct size for my build.
i am 64", 32" waist, 35" chest, 19" shoulder-waist, 154 lbs.
i have spoken to zeagle and they recommend a medium with a large shoulder section. what do you think?
i am worried that a medium alone would ride too high on my torso with the weights around my ribs.
kind regards

Bill(Certified Scuba Instructor at Scuba.com):

Typically, waist is the most important. The torso does not change much between sizes and the shoulders are very adjustable.

Michael:

Are you no longer carrying Zeagle going forward?
Thx,
Mike

Bob(Certified Scuba Instructor at Scuba.com):

We are still happy to be a Zeagle dealer and once the dust has settled from their recent acquisition and they are shipping products we''ll have them listed and available once again.

Merylle:

Hi, will you accept orders for a custom color BC? Im looking at the Zeagle Stiletto model. Thanks!

Bob(Certified Scuba Instructor at Scuba.com):

We do not get involved in custom orders or custom designs outside of the normal offered items listed in each manufacturer's dealer guides.

joe:

How many dumps does BC have?

Bob(Certified Scuba Instructor at Scuba.com):

Two.

Louis:

I had a toss up between the Scubapro Nighthawk and the Zeagle Stiletto! I am a beginner diver butt tend to go with quality over something cheaply built!But when I tried the Nighthawk on, noticed that the Seahawk is a more improved version of Nighthawk!I ended up buying the seahawk mainly because it was the closest thing to the Stilleto the store had! the main reason for not buying the Stilleto was the weight dump and re-stringing the thing! although I did not do a true comparison in the water, but now maybe wishing I had gone with the Stilleto instead!also bought the A700/MK25 and AtomicSS1 inflator! I can still take it back and exchange for which one works and feels best to me, because its has not been in the water yet! any advise would be helpful? Thanks, Louis

Bob(Certified Scuba Instructor at Scuba.com):

The Zeagle Stiletto is a very high quality bcd that will provide many years of very comfortable service underwater. The Rip Cord System Zeagle uses for their weight dump is not nearly as complicated or difficult as a first glance would make one feel. A person could do much worse in their BCD choice.

Craig:

Can I attach a Scubapro Air II to the Stiletto?

Bob(Certified Scuba Instructor at Scuba.com):

Yes.

More About This Product

Stiletto BC

The Stiletto is a rugged full featured but light weightBC, designed for divers who may do both warm andtemperate water diving but don’t need the twin tankcapability or higher lift of Zeagle’s heavy-duty BC’s.The Stiletto’s extra durable reinforced 1000 deniernylon bladder material, gives an extra level ofprotection against abrasion or punctures in closeenvironments like the edge of a coral reef or wreck. Ithas sufficient lift and weight capacity for mostaverage sized divers to use in their localenvironments, yet packs easily into a lightweighttravel system.The Stiletto is similar in features to Zeagle’s popularEscape BC, but it’s bladder is constructed of heavierweight 1000 denier nylon. It also features stainlesssteel D-rings and Zeagle’s PFS (Personal Fit System) sizing.The Stiletto is ideal for the diver who wants a lightweight but rugged system, for both travel and localdiving that doesn’t compromise on features.

Are Zeagle BC’s worn differently?Yes. Because of the uniqueness of the design, the Zeagle System will fit quite differently from a conventional BC. The waistband will be lower, well below the diaphragm (so it won’t restrict your breathing), the front of the BC is open, reducing restrictions further, and the buoyancy is low down on the back and sides, where it can expand outward without compressing your chest. The result is greater comfort and a more balanced attitude in the water.

Why do you put the weights in the BC?Including the weights as part of the buoyancy system improves balance and comfort in the water- it keeps your body from being pulled in different directions by the opposing forces of lift and weights. All Zeagle BC’s since 1982 have been designed to be weight integrated.

How do you drop the weights in an emergency?Zeagle’s patented Ripcord system allows for a single point instantaneous release of the weights from almost any position in the water. When compared to a weightbelt release or the two handed systems used on many other weight integrated BC's the Ripcord is far simpler and more reliable. Some BC's offer a more economical pull out system that requires a two sided release to drop all the weights.

Isn’t it too heavy to lift?In most circumstances we recommend that the diver put on their BC first, then place the weights in the weight pockets. This avoids having to lift the entire scuba system and weights together.

What’s the Personal Fit System?People come in more than five sizes- the Personal Fit System is a system of interchangeable components that allows your Zeagle dealer to custom fit a buoyancy system to your body and your style of diving. In addition to fitting waist size, chest size, and torso length independently, we can adjust the style of various components and the amount of lift in the buoyancy system to match the type of diving you do.

Do you make BC's for women?Zeagle’s Personal Fit System was designed with women in mind. It’s very common for women to fit a size smaller in the shoulder section of a Zeagle BC than they fit in the waist size- a medium waist with small shoulders, for example. On our heavy duty BC's we offer narrower women's shoulder sections with smaller buckles that will fit women's upper bodies better. Of course the advantages of weight integration and doing away with the weightbelt are often even greater for women than for men. The greatest difficulty in properly sizing a woman's Buoyancy System is not finding a smaller size, or allowing for the bust, but lies in the fact that women's bodies have a defined waist where a waistband must fasten in order to secure the BC. At the same time, women tend to have both a shorter torso length and a lower center of buoyancy compared to men. So conventional buoyancy systems,which would ideally be worn lower for best balance and comfort, must be worn higher, around the narrowest part of the waist, in order to be secure. Zeagle has two BC models specifically designed with these considerations in mind; - The Zena is an extremely light and comfortable BC, ideally suited for warmer water diving. It is designed and constructed to be worn over a bathing suit or light warm water suit. The Zena's twin waist and hip band system provides a way for women to securely position the weights and buoyancy below waist level, around the body's center of buoyancy. - The LaZer is a heavier-duty BC with the same ideal fit for a woman's body shape. It is still considered to be a travel BC and can be worn over a bathing suit, but it is also made to be worn over a wetsuit or drysuit that might be needed in local diving conditions. It has all the features of the very popular Stiletto BC, but with a vest that is scooped at the rear to comfortably accommodate a shorter torso and wider hips than a Stiletto.

Will it float you face down?Zeagle BCs are designed to fit low on the body so the lift is positioned near the body’s center of buoyancy. This results in a very neutral surface flotation, leaving the diver free to assume any position in the water. Many non-Zeagle rear flotation BC’s fit high on the chest, the same way most nonintegrated jacket style BC’s fit. In addition to being less comfortable, this volume of lift high on the back can cause the diver to be rotated forward when attempting to stay upright on the surface.

Can I wear a weightbelt with a Zeagle?It isn’t necessary, and it adds bulk and weight.

Which BC is best for me?Zeagle makes buoyancy systems for everyone– from the occasional vacation diver to the most professional Search and Recovery divers. Your dealer can help you select a system and appropriate accessories based on you size, experience, diving environment, the kind of diving you do, and the kind of diving you want to do in the future.

What about construction and warranty?All Zeagle Buoyancy Systems are hand sewn from the best available materials and heavily reinforced at all stress points. Our style of construction is labor intensive and expensive, but it results in a more durable, better fitting BC. Individual components of the system are replaceable or repairable if damaged. This quality of construction makes it possible for us to offer a limited lifetime warranty to the original purchaser. If a defect appears or the system fails at any time while you own it, Zeagle will repair or replace the system free of charge.

For full details on product warranty please click here.

Where can I get user's guides for Zeagle Products?We have available downloadable versions of product owner's manuals. These are in PDF format, which is a file format that can be viewed and printed from virtually any computer platform. If you don't have Adobe Acrobat Reader (necessary to view the files) it can be downloaded free of charge here.

BCs-

LIMITED LIFETIME GUARANTEE TO THE ORIGINAL OWNER, OFFERED THROUGH MANUFACTURER

Your BC is guaranteed against defects in materials and workmanship. This guarantee does not cover damages from accident, abuse, neglect, alterations, improper usage, normal wear & tear or failure to provide reasonable care. To validate your warranty you must fill out and return your warranty registration by regular mail or e-mail, within 30 days of purchase. All warranty claims will be handled through Zeagle, or an authorized Zeagle Dealer.

here is the serial number on my BC?In 2009 we began serializing the bladder assembly of our BCs. To find the serial number look at the left side (your right if you were wearing the BC) in between the vest and bladder. Roughly where the top tank band is inserted into the vest you should see a 1.5' long white tag with the serial number stamped onto it. If you do not see this tag you can select 'My product does not have a serial number' when registering your BC.

How can I set my BC up for Twin Cylinders?All Zeagle Heavy-Duty Ballistic BCs (Ranger, Ranger LTD, Tech, 911, SAR) as well as backplate systems, can be used with twin tanks. The easiest method is to use the Twin Cylinder Mounting Plates. Click here for a page that shows how.Click here for an instructional video on setting your BC up for Twin Cylinders

Zeagle Stiletto BCD

I hate BCDs. Seriously. There is very little about the Buoyancy Compensator in general that I find attractive or enjoyable. I understand, better than most, its function and the reasoning behind it, but the fact remains that the #1 most disliked piece of gear in my kit is the BCD.

These days they are either so bulky that you feel like you are wearing body armor underwater or they have so many unnecessary added features that you feel like a walking Christmas Tree wearing one. The feature of “welds” in the air cell that cause the unit to “wrap around” you simply gives the manufacturers a method of adding more crud to the unit and keep it comfortable. To avoid the cumbersome feel and bulkiness of a jacket style bcd, you have the option of going with a back inflation style bcd. But when you go that route you find that many manufacturers have just taken this as a free license to make bcds with enough lift to raise the Titanic which equates directly with more fabric and more bulk. To me, the PERFECT bcd would look like something similar to a hemorrhoid pillow with just enough strap material to hold the tank on the back and keep it against my back.

Now, I have to admit my Zeagle Stiletto bcd doesn’t quite match that description, but when compared to many of the units on the market today, it’s pretty darn close! It is a very simple, comfortable design that isn’t packed with a lot of needless “features” and “frills” to make it overly cumbersome. It’s 35lb lift capacity is still far greater than I need but the folks at Zeagle have figured out how to make that bladder not quit as obtrusive as most. For most divers that means this piece of gear is completely functional for most divers in most waters. I’ll be the first to admit that on warm water dives the padding at the back is quite comfortable, and welcome, no matter how much I might gripe about it being more nylon. The 5 stainless steel D-rings are tucked away in just the right spots to secure an octo, console, small light or what ever other trinket you may be taking along on your dive, but never seem to be in the way or “jangle” excessively. Zeagle’s integrated weight system is also equally as streamlined and simple. No bulky pockets at each hip. The finishing touch on this bcd is the fact that it’s a soft pack design! You can literally roll this thing up into a tiny little wad in your luggage/dive bag jump up and down on it to compress some space (careful not to step on your power inflator) and take it out when you reach your destination and it’s ready to go diving!

If you are looking for a light weight bcd that has all the features and functions of a real heavy-weight contender this should be one of the first, if not the only bcd you check out!